The passive leg raise test to predict fluid responsiveness in children--preliminary observations

To assess whether the passive leg raising (PLR) test can predict fluid responsiveness in pediatric patients.

This was a prospective observational study in a tertiary care pediatric center. Hemodynamic parameters including heart rate, stroke volume and cardiac output were assessed at baseline, after passive leg raising (PLR), at second baseline, and after volume loading (10 mL/kg normal saline in 10 min). Cutoff values of 7.5 and 10 % increase in cardiac index (CI) with passive leg raising were explored as predictors of volume loading response.

Overall, the changes in CI with passive leg raising varied widely and was a poor predictor of response to volume loading in children under 5 years of age. Of 40 patients, 23 had greater than 10 % increase in CI with PLR which predicted fluid responsiveness with a sensitivity of 94 % (95 % confidence interval 71,100) and specificity of 26 % (95 % confidence interval 10,48). Sensitivity was higher (100 % vs. 91 %) and specificity similar (27 % vs. 25 %) in predicting CI for those over 5 as compared to under 5 y, respectively. In patients over 5 y, simple linear regression revealed a positive correlation (R(2) = 21) while R(2) values were much lower (0-0.07) for those under 5 y.

Cardiac index changes after PLR varies widely in children and may be a poor predictor to volume loading in children under 5-y-old. However, in those over 5 y, PLR may be helpful in predicting fluid responsiveness in pediatric patients.